Pop Break Today

Aaron and Josh Sarnecky are back for another movie retrospective, this time on Jurassic Park for its 30th anniversary. Joining the brothers is Bill Bodkin, Editor-in-Chief of The Pop Break.

Jurassic Park is a science fiction film directed by Steven Spielberg. It is based on the novel by Michael Crichton, who co-wrote the screenplay with David Koepp. Jurassic Park opened in theaters on June 11, 1993.

In the film, InGen CEO John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) invites paleontologist Alan Grant (Sam Neill), paleobotanist Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), and mathematician Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) to his new theme park featuring real dinosaurs. However, the visit quickly becomes dangerous when the dinosaurs escape.

Jurassic Park opened to critical and popular acclaim and became the highest grossing film of all time (not adjusted for inflation). It won three Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects, Best Sound, and Best Sound Effects Editing. It has spawned five sequels, a Netflix series, and various other media.

Aaron, Josh, and Bill go over the film’s plot, characters, themes, and revolutionary effects. They also chat about the box office success of the latest sequel and the future of the franchise.

For another movie retrospective with Bill, listen to their Air Force One podcast.

Jurassic Park is streaming on Peacock.

Welcome to “Not Couple Goals” where co-hosts Allie Nelson and Tyler McCarthy do a deep dive into a different ridiculous romantic thriller from the vantage point of their long-term relationship.

Allie, a TV writer/producer and actress, has an affinity for romantic thrillers, the more salacious the better. Tyler, an entertainment reporter and critic, often finds himself drawn in despite his better judgment. Join them as they explore all the ways it’s possible to love too hard… like WAY too hard.

In this episode, Allie and Tyler are joined by returning guests Rin Olsson and Rebecca Ringley of the “Ladies Get Action” podcast. Together they do a deep dive into the seminal romantic thriller, “Fatal Attraction” (1987) starring Glenn Close, Michael Douglas and Anne Archer. Just in time for the TV remake, the gang revisits the “Is Douglas Zaddy?” debate, ponders who the true villain is and unpacks the (better?) alternate ending.

Special thanks to Mallory Johns for the introduction music.

To see more of our hosts, check out Tyler’s writing at USA Insider, SYFY and NBC Insider. Find Allie’s work at Parade and Business Insider!

And don't forget to follow us on social media —

Allie: Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok

Tyler: Twitter

Not Couple Goals: Instagram and Twitter

There’s arguably no superhero in existence that has been reimagined, redefined, or reinterpreted more than Batman.  No matter how many times he’s been rebooted, audiences are always willing to come back to Gotham City’s greatest defender.  With so much Bat content out there, there’s plenty to dissect, analyze, and of course, rank!  This podcast is dedicated to a surgical evaluation of Batman’s history, with a focus on ranking several topics in the world of Batman, among other classic Bat themes and characters.

Join host Daniel Cohen, Pop Break’s former Film Editor and Resident Bat-Maven, as he brings on several guests every month to share his passion for the one and only Dark Knight.  From Adam West to Robert Pattinson, no bat stone will be left unturned.  Bottom-line: If you’re a Batman fan, this is required listening.

Batman fighting demons, spirits, sorcery, and monsters?  Oh my!  It happened.  The Batman by the Numbers Podcast goes into uncharted waters this month.  While Batman movies are typically relegated to grounded, gritty crime dramas, there are comics where Batman ventures into the supernatural, and even horror.  As a great man once said, “You want to get nuts!  Let’s get nuts!”  That’s what Batman: The Doom that Came to Gotham is, the new animated movie from DC.

Daniel calls upon the spirit world to summon Podcast Editor Alex Marcus and Pop Break contributor Tom Moore, making his Batman by the Numbers debut, to help him decipher this very odd, weird Batman movie adapted from the Elseworlds comic of the same name that takes place in the 1920s.They debate whether or not the premise holds strong, how well classic Batman villains are interwoven into the story, discuss the viability of the Batman character being placed in the horror genre, and stack it up to other DC animated movies.If you’re interested in a Batman story that takes place in the 1920s with a diversion to Antarctica with Batman fighting demons from another world, then this is the Batman movie you’ve been waiting for! 

It’s Podwork Angels: The Rush Hour, a podcast dedicated to the Canadian rock band Rush! Justin Mancini of TheCineMaverick.com & Cinema Joes is joined by fellow Cinema Joes podcast host Noah Franc of FrancNoir, as well as Luke Martin, host of Talking the Coda, as they delve into the discography of Canada’s favorite sons, from 1974 to 2012.

In the 13th episode of the season, Justin, Luke, Noah, and recurring guest Chris venture into the 1990s to tackle Rush’s tributes to chance and duality with Roll the Bones and Counterparts, respectively. The hosts make many an ill-conceived pun, spin concert-going memories of rapping skeletons, and reveal way too much about gastrointestinal maladies while on the road. And of course, they recommend artists apart from Rush for your listening pleasure.

Host Picks:

Limelight (A Song We Think Is Underrated, or Just Really Like)

Chris – Alien Shore (from Counterparts)

Justin – Cut to the Chase (from Counterparts)

Luke – Stick It Out (from Counterparts)

Noah – Where’s My Thing? (Part IV, “Gangster of Boats” Trilogy) (from Roll the Bones)

Handle with Kid Gloves (A Song We Don’t Like So Much)

Chris – The Speed of Love (from Counterparts)

Justin – Between Sun & Moon (from Counterparts)

Luke – “Rapping” in Roll the Bones (from Roll the Bones)

Noah – “Rapping” in Roll the Bones (from Roll the Bones) & Double Agent (from Counterparts)

Words of the Profits (A Favorite Lyric)

Chris – Ghost of a Chance (from Roll the Bones)

Justin – Bravado (from Roll the Bones)

Luke – Dreamline (from Roll the Bones)

Noah – Nobody’s Hero (from Counterparts)

Magic Music That Makes Our Morning Mood (A Favorite Musical Moment)

Chris – Stick It Out (from Counterparts)

Justin – Dreamline (from Roll the Bones)

Luke – Cut to the Chase (from Counterparts)

Noah – Animate (from Counterparts)

Other Artists We’ve Been Listening To:

Chris – Green Day

Justin – Atomic Rooster

Luke – Original cast recording from Chicago

Noah – Tchaikovsky

Welcome to “Not Couple Goals” where co-hosts Allie Nelson and Tyler McCarthy do a deep dive into a different ridiculous romantic thriller from the vantage point of their long-term relationship.

Allie, a TV writer/producer and actress, has an affinity for romantic thrillers, the more salacious the better. Tyler, an entertainment reporter and critic, often finds himself drawn in despite his better judgment. Join them as they explore all the ways it’s possible to love too hard… like WAY too hard.

In this episode, Allie and Tyler break down the 2021 science-fiction/noir thriller “Reminiscence” starring Hugh Jackman, Rebecca Ferguson, Thandiwe Newton and, yes, Cliff Curtis. Join them as they discuss the many ways the technology in this movie doesn’t make sense, the subtle yet possibly better love story lurking within the plot and how much Jackman in a wet shirt can really save an ailing movie. Just for fun, there’s also some chit-chat about Wolverine’s healing factor as well. Tune in to hear it all!

Special thanks to Mallory Johns for the introduction music.

To see more of our hosts, check out Tyler’s writing at USA Insider, SYFY and NBC Insider. Find Allie’s work at Parade and Business Insider!

And don't forget to follow us on social media —

Allie: Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok

Tyler: Twitter

Not Couple Goals: Instagram and Twitter

Hello and welcome to Bill vs the MCU! Each month your hosts Pop Break Podcasts Editor Alex Marcus and Pop Break Editor in Chief Bill Bodkin take another step into the wider Marvel Multiverse, with reviews and interviews on the film and television series that may be drawn upon as the MCU dives deeper and deeper into its Multiverse Saga.

After completing their twelve month rewatch of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Alex and Bill are fully embracing the ethos of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga with miniseries devoted to all the MCU-adjacent material out there. Currently, the pair are taking a guided tour of the Netflix Defenders-verse, featuring reviews of select seasons of Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and Luke Cage, along with this universe’s crossover event The Defenders.

This month, Alex and Bill travel back to September 2016 to check in on everyone’s favorite bulletproof boyfriend by discussing Season One of Luke Cage.

To help them reorient to the world of comic book media circa 2016 when Mike Coulter became the first black lead of a major super hero property since Wesley Snipes’ Blade Trilogy, they are joined by Racial Draft podcaster and Murphy’s Multiverse writer Michael T. Ford III.

Alex and Bill also unveil the an extended edition of their monthly segment Miss Minutes Marvel Memo, where they try to cram in a month’s of MCU headlines in five minutes, while also devoting a bit of extra time to recent, more serious news items related to Jonathan Majors arrest on charges of domestic violence and Victoria Alonso’s recent firing.

Don’t forget to come back next month when they’ll be reviewing The Defenders.

Luke Cage S1 and The Defenders are available to stream on Disney+.

Aaron and Josh Sarnecky are here for the April installment of their monthly movie retrospectives. This time they’re talking about 2001: A Space Odyssey for its 55th anniversary.

2001: A Space Odyssey is an epic science fiction film directed by Stanley Kubrick, who co-wrote the film with Arthur C. Clarke. It opened in theaters on April 3, 1968.

In the film the principal characters, astronaut Dave Bowman (Keir Dullea) and artificial intelligence HAL 9000 (Douglas Rain), travel to Jupiter in search of extraterrestrial life.

Though initial reactions to the film were mixed, it received Oscar nominations for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Art Direction, and won for Best Visual Effects. Popular but expensive, the movie only become profitable upon rerelease. In 2022 a poll of 480 directors voted it the Greatest Film of All Time in Sight & Sound magazine.

Aaron and Josh discuss the plot of the film, its effects, and its slow pace. They also briefly chat about Arthur C. Clarke’s book series and the film 2010: The Year We Make Contact. Capping things off is a look at space travel and A.I. today.

For more ‘60s cinema, you can listen to Josh and Aaron’s podcast on The Birds. For another Kubrick film, listen to their podcast on The Shining.
2001: A Space Odyssey is streaming on HBO Max.

Welcome to “Not Couple Goals” where co-hosts Allie Nelson and Tyler McCarthy do a deep dive into a different ridiculous romantic thriller from the vantage point of their long-term relationship.

Allie, a TV writer/producer and actress, has an affinity for romantic thrillers, the more salacious the better. Tyler, an entertainment reporter and critic, often finds himself drawn in despite his better judgment. Join them as they explore all the ways it’s possible to love too hard… like WAY too hard.

In this episode, Allie and Tyler ponder how far they’d go for a free vacation with the 2022 movie “The Invitation,” starring Nathalie Emmanuel and Thomas Doherty, written by Blair Butler and directed by Jessica M. Thompson. Listen as they discuss the film’s oddly outdated idea of a modern woman, the surprisingly well done visual scares and the shocking amount of blood red flags waved by the main love interest. What shouldn’t you do if you see a monster in the middle of the night? Tune in to find out!

Special thanks to Mallory Johns for the introduction music.

To see more of our hosts, check out Tyler’s writing at USA Insider and Allie’s at Parade and Business Insider!

And don't forget to follow us on social media —

Allie: Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok

Tyler: Twitter

Not Couple Goals: Instagram and Twitter

There’s arguably no superhero in existence that has been reimagined, redefined, or reinterpreted more than Batman.  No matter how many times he’s been rebooted, audiences are always willing to come back to Gotham City’s greatest defender.  With so much Bat content out there, there’s plenty to dissect, analyze, and of course, rank! 

This podcast is dedicated to a surgical evaluation of Batman’s history, with a focus on ranking several topics in the world of Batman, among other classic Bat themes and characters.Join host Daniel Cohen, Pop Break’s former Film Editor and Resident Bat-Maven, as he brings on several guests every month to share his passion for the one and only Dark Knight.  From Adam West to Robert Pattinson, no bat stone will be left unturned.  Bottom-line: If you’re a Batman fan, this is required listening.

And the Oscar goes to…Batman…sometimes.  On this episode, Daniel combines two of his favorite topics: Batman and the Oscars.  Along with this week’s co-host, Editor-in-Chief of the Pop Break, Bill Bodkin, the two delve into Batman’s history at the Oscars.On the heels of this year’s ceremony, the two get into all the nitty-gritty when it comes to Batman movies and their success rate at the Academy Awards.  When compared to other comic book films, Batman has had a very solid track record, but we all know it should have been better, right?

The two waste no time getting into what is considered one of the biggest snubs in Oscar history – no Best Picture nomination for The Dark Knight.  They recount how they reacted when they first found out, the ramifications it had on the Oscars, and much more!Would Jack Nicholson have gotten an Oscar nomination for Batman ’89 today?  Will Joker: Folie á Deux have similar awards success two years from now?  Will a Batman movie ever win Best Picture?All is discussed as we go through Batman’s entire history at the Oscars!  A must listen to episode for all Batman and Oscar fanatics!

Welcome to Anchored in Asbury, a monthly music interview podcast that revolves around the rich musical culture of Asbury Park, New Jersey.

Each month, host Bill Bodkin (editor-in-chief of ThePopBreak.com) talks with musicians, promoters, and people behind the scenes about their journeys in the music industry and how Asbury Park has been and is such a vital part of it.

The podcast is hosted by Bill Bodkin, editor-in-chief of ThePopBreak.com, who not only has covered the Asbury Park music scene for 19 years but produced and sponsored live shows throughout the city for the past decade.

Dub Proof, the Jersey Shore roots reggae stalwarts, are on this month's episode of Anchored in Asbury. The band's drummer and percussionist Kenny Pete -- a long time friend and contributor to Pop Break -- joins Bill Bodkin to discuss Dub Proof's brand new album, Neptune which drops in April. Kenny and Pete chop it up about some basic reggae vocab, Asbury Park's love affair with reggae, Dub Proof's growth as a band, the maturity on display on Neptune, the band's loftiest goals and plenty of inside wrestling jokes that only Bill and Kenny find amusing.

You can follow Dub Proof on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube, and make sure to check out their original music on Spotify or Apple Music!